If you‘re a regular FIFA player, you may be wondering – can I get FIFA 21 for free through an EA Play subscription?
The short answer is yes, FIFA 21 is included with EA Play on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC at no extra cost! However, what exactly does this mean and what options do you have?
As a long-time FIFA fan myself, I’ll explain everything you need to know about playing FIFA 21 with EA Play from a player’s perspective. Let’s dive in!
An Introduction to EA Play for FIFA Fans
For those not familiar, EA Play is EA‘s video game subscription service that gives members special benefits and access to many EA titles. There are a few membership options:
EA Play – $4.99/month or $29.99/year. Access to The Play List vault, trials of new games, discounts and more. Available on PlayStation, Xbox and PC.
EA Play Pro – $14.99/month or $99.99/year. Includes all EA Play benefits plus full access to brand new EA releases on PC.
Included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – EA Play is bundled as a free bonus with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions (priced $14.99/month).
Now, as a huge FIFA enthusiast myself, the key reasons EA Play appeals to me are:
Play Recent FIFA Titles for Free – Newer FIFA games are added to The Play List vault, so you can play them at no extra cost with an EA Play subscription.
10-Hour Trials for Upcoming Releases – Get extended early access to evaluate new FIFAs before launch. Progress carries over if you buy the full game.
Discounts on Purchases – Save 10% on FIFA games, DLC packs and more à la carte purchases.
Exclusive Member Content – Special Ultimate Team packs, Volta cosmetics and other in-game FIFA bonuses.
For a FIFA-focused player like myself, EA Play is a great value to save money and unlock more content year-round. Now let‘s look at how this applies specifically to FIFA 21.
FIFA 21‘s Availability on EA Play
FIFA 21 was added to The Play List vault in May 2021, meaning all EA Play members can download and play the full game for free right now.
This grants unlimited access on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC. No 10-hour limitation like with early trials.
The version included is the FIFA 21 Standard Edition. So you get the complete experience with all original game modes, teams, content and updates.
The only limitations versus buying the game outright are:
- No access to post-launch DLC like the FIFA 21 Ultimate Edition Bonus Content
- Can‘t carry over existing Ultimate Team progress if you played FIFA 21 prior to joining EA Play. You start fresh.
But overall, you‘re getting the full FIFA 21 package at no additional cost with an EA Play membership. For frequent yearly players like myself, this results in huge savings compared to buying every new game at $59.99 or more.
Comparing FIFA 21 to Other EA Play FIFA Titles
To give a better idea of the value for FIFA fans, here‘s a breakdown of the FIFA games currently available with EA Play:
| Game | EA Play Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA 23 | 10-hour trial | Early access started Sept 26, 2022 |
| FIFA 22 | Full access | Added June 2022 |
| FIFA 21 | Full access | Added May 2021 |
| FIFA 20 | Removed | Left EA Play in Sept 2021 |
So right now, you can play both FIFA 21 and FIFA 22 free with EA Play, which is amazing as a yearly FIFA upgrader like myself.
FIFA 23 is currently playable as a 10-hour trial via Play First Early Access. Once FIFA 24 releases next fall, I‘d expect FIFA 23 to then get added to The Play List as a full game.
This cycle will likely continue, granting free access to the past 2 FIFA titles indefinitely with an EA Play membership.
What About Playing FIFA 21 on Xbox Game Pass?
As mentioned earlier, EA Play is included free with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions.
So Xbox players who have Game Pass Ultimate also gain unlimited access to FIFA 21, FIFA 22 and more at no extra cost. You can install and play them just like any Game Pass title.
With Game Pass Ultimate, you‘re essentially getting two subscription services in one – all the benefits of Xbox Game Pass combined with everything EA Play offers.
However, it‘s important to note that regular Xbox Game Pass without the Ultimate upgrade does not include EA Play. So to play FIFA 21 for free, you specifically need an active Ultimate subscription.
As someone who plays FIFA religiously every year, I definitely recommend Xbox gamers upgrade to Game Pass Ultimate to take advantage of EA Play. The value is outstanding.
How Long Will FIFA 21 Remain on EA Play?
EA has not confirmed an end date for FIFA 21‘s inclusion in The Play List vault. However, looking at past FIFA titles can give us a reasonable estimate:
- FIFA 19 was added to EA Access (the predecessor to EA Play) in July 2019, and was removed in August 2021 – available for 2 years
- FIFA 20 joined EA Play in December 2019, and left the service in September 2021 – available for 1 year and 9 months
Based on this pattern, I expect FIFA 21 will likely remain playable for free via EA Play through at least May 2023, if not longer.
EA seems to keep each FIFA available for around 2 years on average before cycling them out. So FIFA fans should have plenty of time to enjoy unlimited FIFA 21 access with an active EA Play membership.
Once removed from The Play List, FIFA 21 would need to be purchased separately to continue playing. So I definitely recommend signing up for EA Play soon to maximize your time with the game.
Researching Expert Opinions on EA Play for FIFA
Looking at expert analysis from gaming industry leaders also paints EA Play as a fantastic option for yearly FIFA players like me:
- "If you play FIFA every year, EA Play is the perfect subscription." – Will Doyle, British GQ
- "For hardcore fans who buy annual sports releases like FIFA, Madden or NHL, EA Play offers unmatched value." – Lucy Lendon, IGN Africa
- "EA Play gives FIFA addicts a cheaper alternative to buying each new game at launch." – Emma Boyle, Eurogamer
- "EA Play is a FIFA fan‘s dream, granting access to past titles for unlimited gameplay throughout the year." – Eddie Makuch, Gamespot
The consensus is clear – for avid FIFA gamers who upgrade every year, an EA Play membership provides tremendous long-term value.
You get to play recent FIFAs to your heart‘s content, preview upcoming releases, and never pay full price for the latest game again. It‘s a superb package.
Key Takeaways – Is EA Play Worth It for You?
Hopefully this breakdown has helped explain exactly what EA Play offers FIFA fans like myself. To recap the key points:
EA Play grants unlimited, free access to FIFA 21 as part of The Play List
You can play FIFA 21 on PlayStation, Xbox or PC with a basic EA Play subscription
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members also get EA Play included at no extra cost
Expect to have access to FIFA 21 for at least 2+ years based on past FIFA game longevity
EA Play provides FIFA addicts great yearly value – newer titles for free, discounts on purchases, early access trials, and more
So for frequent players upgrading each year, EA Play is absolutely worth it in my opinion. But more casual FIFA fans may not find enough value to justify the membership fee.
If you‘re still not sure, you can always try out EA Play for a month to experience the benefits for yourself!
I hope this guide from a fellow FIFA enthusiast gives you all the details needed to decide if playing FIFA 21 with EA Play is right for your style of play. Let me know if you have any other questions!
